Day 1: Flights delayed by 15 minutes

Start of repair work on one end of Mumbai airport’s main runway delayed flights marginally on Thursday. The airport operator shut the main runway from 12 pm to 4 pm to barricade the 340-m area and get equipment in place. This delayed arrivals and departures by an average of 10 to 15 minutes.

Airport staff shifted the precision approach path indicator lights, a ground aid located close to runway that guides the pilot to make accurate landing and runway markings during the closure.

“Flight movement was not affected because the visibility was good and the secondary runway could handle the movement,” said a Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) spokesperson.

This is the first phase of repairs for the main runway that will be completed by February 1. The airport operator, with help from the BMC, is widening a drain passing under that stretch of the runway. This phase will also include connecting that end of the main runway to two taxiways and make them compliant for use of jumbo planes such as the Airbus A380.